Mating base members for an expandable vertical desk file or the like

ABSTRACT

Base members of symmetrical shape have projections and recesses in the longitudinally extending sides of such members. These projections and recesses are complimentary and interfit when the base members are placed side by side. A groove opening extends downwardly from a surface of and extending across each projection. When two base members are interfitted side by side the grooves in each projection are axially aligned. A vertical partition or other locking member is seated in such aligned grooves to lock adjacent base members and support the partition.

United States Patent Inventor Kristian Agerholm W. 34433 Nickel Point, Oconomowoc, Wis. S3066 Appl. No. 807,612

Filed Mar. 17, 1969 Patented Jan. 26, 1971 MATING BASE MEMBERS FOR AN EXPANDABLE VERTICAL DESK FILE OR THE LIKE 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figs. U.S.Cl 211/11, 52/590 Int. Cl B421 17/00 Field of Search 21 1/1 1, 183, 184; 52/590 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,415,110 5/1922 Pearl 211/11 3/1923 Ross 211/11 2,537,565 1/1951 Wolters 211/11 2,747,959 5/1956 lngelson 21 l/184X 2,902,166 9/1959 Bahr 211/11 3,008,581 11/1961 Kohler... 211/11 3,119,154 l/l964 Moore 52/593X 3,300,057 1/1967 Wheaton 211/184 Primary Examiner-Nile C. Byers, .l r.

Attorneys-John W. Michael, Gern't D. Foster, Bayard H.

Michael, Paul R. Puerner, Joseph A. Gemignani, Andrew 0. Riteris and Spencer B. Michael ABSTRACT: Base members of symmetrical shape have projections and recesses in the longitudinally extending sides of such members. These projections and recesses are complementary and interfit when the base members are placed side by side. A groove opening extends downwardly from a surface of and extending across each projection. When two base members are interfitted side by side the grooves in each projection are axially aligned. A vertical partition or other locking member is seated in such aligned grooves to lock adjacent base members and support the partition.

PATENTEU JAN26 l97l @ra/w div/we MATING BASE MEMBERS FOR AN EXPANDABLE VERTICAL DESK FILE OR THE LIKE BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention consists of identical and symmetrically shaped base members which are joined side by side solely by vertical partitions to form an expandable open desk file or an adjustable length base for an article. To lengthen the file or base additional base members and partitions or locking members are added.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing for purposes of illustrating one application thereof an expandable desk file consists of a plurality of identically and symmetrically shaped base members which are interfitted side by side as shown and joined against lateral separation solely by vertical partitions 12.

Each of the base members 10 have elongated undulating sides which form symmetrically positioned projections I4 separated by recesses 16. The sides of the projections 14 and recesses 16 are sloped with respect to an imaginary straight line normal to those ends of base members which form the sides of the desk file when assembled. Each of the projections 14 has a groove 18 opening downwardly from the top surface of and extending across the projection. When the base members 10 are placed side by side the projections 14 of one member will seat in the recesses 16 of the adjacent member. The grooves 18 in the projections I4 of one member will be automatically longitudinally aligned with the grooves 18 in' the projections 14 of the adjacent member. The vertical partitions I2 or other locking members are then inserted in such grooves. These lock adjacent base members against lateral separation. The interfitting projections and recesses prevent longitudinal displacement of the base members. The grooves are deep enough to support such partitions which then become dividers for filing pockets for said desk file.

In expandable desk files it is preferable to also have base end members 20. These members are identical to each other and have one straight side. The other side has projections l4 and recesses 16 identical to those of the base members I0. A desk file can be formed with two end pieces 20, one base member 10 and two partitions 12. If more filing pockets are required it is only necessary to withdraw one of the partitions 12 to unlock one of the end base members 20 and add one or more additional base members 10 between the end base member 20 which has been unlocked and base member 10 locked to the other end base member 20. Then additional partitions 12 are fitted in the exposed aligned grooves 18 to lock all base members and construct a desk file with as many pockets as desired.

One advantage of this invention is that only two dies, molds, or jigs are needed, one to make the base members 10 and another to make'the end base members 20. Also the dealer or retailer will be able to supply a large variety of sizes of desk files with a minimum of inventory of parts.

It is to be understood that the undulating or sinusoidalshaped projections and recesses may take other forms. The

projections and recesses may be formed by straight lines which are both perpendicular to and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the membersjThe essential feature is a symmetric design which ermits: (l) projections on one member to fit in recesses of a acent mem er; and (2) these members to be locked together.

Another advantage of the construction of the base members as herein described is that they may be molded or cast from metal and/or a plastic material which if desired can simulate a selected wood grain or can be cut from blanks by any wellknown metal and/or woodworking methods.

I claim: I. An expandable desk file comprising: a plurality of base members arranged side by side; said base members having undulating sides forming symmetrically positioned projections separated by recesses, the sides of said projections and recesses being sloped with respect to an imaginary straight line normal to those ends of said base members which form the sides of the desk file when assembled to prevent longitudinal displacement of said base members when assembled with vertical partitions;

each of said projections having a groove opening downwardly from the upper surface of and extending across said projections;

the projections on one member being seated in the recesses of an adjacent member with the grooves in adjacent members aligned; and

vertical partitions fitted in said aligned grooves to lock 'adjacent base members, said partitions being supported by said grooves to form filing pockets for said desk file. 

1. An expandable desk file comprising: a plurality of base members arranged side by side; said base members having undulating sides forming symmetrically positioned projections separated by recesses, the sides of said projections and recesses being sloped with respect to an imaginary straight line normal to those ends of said base members which form the sides of the desk file when assembled to prevent longitudinal displacement of said base members when assembled with vertical partitions; each of said projections having a groove opening downwardly from the upper surface of and extending across said projections; the projections on one member being seated in the recesses of an adjacent member with the grooves in adjacent members aligned; and vertical partitions fitted in said aligned grooves to lock adjacent base members, said partitions being supported by said grooves to form filing pockets for said desk file. 